Posted by Chinenye on Fri 18th Sep, 2026 - tori.ng
President Bola Tinubu and French President Emmanuel Macron have held a private meeting in Paris, drawing attention to the relationship between Nigeria and France.
(President Bola Tinubu and Emmanuel Macron at the Élysée Palace, Paris. Photo Credit: X / Bayo Onanuga)
President Bola Tinubu had a private dinner with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Élysée Palace in Paris on Thursday night.
The dinner highlighted the long relationship between Nigeria and France and both countries' commitment to deeper cooperation.
The meeting came shortly after Nigeria won a major arbitration case.
An international tribunal in Paris ruled in Nigeria's favour in a 2.35 billion dollar dispute with Sunrise Power and Transmission Company over the Mambilla hydroelectric power project in Taraba State.
The tribunal dismissed Sunrise Power's claim that Nigeria breached its obligations.
It also rejected the company's demand for 400 million dollars.
Nigeria has been ordered to be reimbursed 75 percent of its legal costs during the arbitration, totalling 11.82 million dollars.
Sunrise Power and its promoter, Leno Adesanya, must pay the remaining 9.32 million dollars plus 10 percent annual interest until paid.
Tinubu said the ruling showed the government's resolve to protect Nigeria against what he called predatory and exploitative claims.
He commended Attorney-General Lateef Fagbemi, the justice ministry and Nigeria's legal team.
Tinubu also acknowledged former President Olusegun Obasanjo and the late President Muhammadu Buhari who testified in the case, along with former ministers and the National Security Adviser.
The president said the ruling removed the biggest legal hurdle blocking the Mambilla power project.
Nigeria remains committed to legitimate investors and its legal obligations while defending against opportunistic claims.
(President Bola Tinubu with French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte Macron, during a private dinner at the Élysée Palace in Paris. Photo Credit: X / Bayo Onanuga)
French President Emmanuel Macron received President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a private dinner Thursday night at the Élysée Palace, reflecting the enduring relationship between Nigeria and France and their shared commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation. pic.twitter.com/ld5j7apv9s
— Bayo Onanuga, OON, CON (@aonanuga1956) September 18, 2026